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Rodri set for potential debut as Athletic seeks reaction at Camp Nou
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Rodri set for potential debut as Athletic seeks reaction at Camp Nou

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • FC Barcelona's new star signing 'Rodri' Hernández is expected to debut against Athletic Club, though not from the start.
  • Athletic Club seeks a reaction after a loss to Sevilla and faces a challenging away game at Camp Nou, where they haven't won in nearly 25 years.
  • Both teams have injury concerns and are working to integrate new players and adjust tactics under new management.

The potential debut of midfielder 'Rodri' Hernández, Barcelona's high-profile signing, is a key talking point ahead of Thursday's league match against Athletic Club. While FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed the Spanish national team captain will be in the squad, Hernández is not yet match-fit to start, having only recently rejoined training with his teammates.

the Spanish national team captain will be in the list of summoned to face the Basque club

— Hansi FlickConfirming the inclusion of new signing Rodri Hernández in the squad.

Athletic Club arrives at the Spotify Camp Nou needing a significant turnaround following a disappointing home defeat to Sevilla. Their historical record at Barcelona's stadium is grim, with their last victory dating back nearly a quarter of a century. This difficult fixture is part of a demanding start to the season for the Basque club, with another away game at Balaídos and a home match against Atlético de Madrid on the horizon.

Coach Edin Terzic faces the challenge of quickly instilling his playing style and improving the performance of key players like Oihan Sancet and Iñaki Williams, who are currently below their best. The integration of World Cup winners Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams, who joined only two weeks ago, also requires acceleration. Adding to their difficulties, Athletic will be without key defender Yuri Berchiche, who received a red card in the previous match, and Dani Vivian, who has been sidelined since preseason.

the Madrid-born footballer, who has been training at the same pace as his teammates since Monday, does not yet have the competitive rhythm to play from the start.

— FC BarcelonaExplaining Rodri Hernández's limited readiness for the match.

Barcelona also contends with absences, notably midfielder Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi', who is recovering from a knee injury. However, full-back Alejandro Balde is available. The team might see changes in the lineup, potentially including the return of Pedro González 'Pedri' to replace the injured Gavi. With no established '9' in the squad, Raphinha, who scored twice in the opening match, is expected to lead the attack once more.

the CTA will qualify the expulsion as 'a clear and manifest error'.

— CTA (Technical Committee of Referees)Regarding Yuri Berchiche's red card.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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